Dear UCC families,

This year, students in Years 3 through 10 will write the International Schools’ Assessment (ISA) test. 

Please note there has been an update to our ISA testing schedule. This standardized test will be administered to Year 8-10 students will write on Monday, Sept. 22 and Thursday, Sept. 25 at 1:30 p.m. 

The ISA is based on the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)’s Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) frameworks for reading, writing and mathematical literacy. The aim is to gather baseline information for students as a cohort to assist faculty as they consider instructional strategies that can be used to support learning. Regular ISA administration allows us to observe cohort growth and progress over time, inform ongoing improvements to teaching and learning, and compare UCC’s performance internationally. 

The ISA will be administered through the ISA online portal in your student’s classroom by their teacher and in collaboration with the Wernham West Centre for Learning. Please refrain from scheduling appointments or other absences during the period of ISA administration. No make-up testing is available due to the test’s confidential nature. Testing can only be administered at the school. 

It’s important to note that no preparation is required ahead of writing the test. It's meant to capture a snapshot of student skills and does not form any part of report card grades. The information gathered is for internal use only by faculty and administrators to inform teaching and learning at the College. ISA’s privacy statement is available here. We will work with the boys to ensure this is a positive experience. Families can assist by reinforcing that message and ensuring students are well-rested on testing mornings.  

Should you have any questions, please contact Liz Kennedy, Director of the Wernham West Centre for Learning and Student Services.

Yours sincerely,

Liz Kennedy

Director, Wernham West Centre for Learning and Student Services

Julia Kinnear

Vice-Principal, Learning and Academic Innovation

Prize Day recognizes students currently in Years 9 through 12 and is based on their academic results for the 2024–25 academic school year. Prizes will be announced on Prize Day which is Tuesday Oct. 7 at 7 p.m.

If your student is an award recipient, you received an invitation via email earlier this week. Student award recipients were notified earlier this week as well and will receive further details in the coming weeks. Please note that the dress code is First Dress.

In addition to subject-specific prizes, students will be recognized for an Academic Tie (top five per cent of their class), Principal’s List (top ten per cent of their class), and overall General Proficiency.

To earn General Proficiency the following applies:

Diploma Programme — All 6s or 7s and an A in ToK

Middle Years Programme — All 6s or 7s

If you have any questions, please email UCC Registrar, Leigh Berndsen.

Horizons is a program that partners UCC students with students from schools in priority neighbourhoods to provide mutually beneficial curricular and co-curricular learning experiences. Each year a number of opportunities are available such as Learn to Swim, Robotics, and instrumental music. UCC students are encouraged to develop their leadership skills and consider others’ lived experiences while coaching and facilitating learning through their participation. 

A-Day is when we begin collecting gently used hockey sticks, skates, and helmets to support the Learn to Skate/Hockey Skills program that runs on Saturdays through the winter. The collection box is set up on the second floor of the Wilder Arena and every donation is appreciated! If you have any questions, please contact Jyoti Sehgal or Elaine Ticzon.

The Language and Literature Department is excited to announce that our Year 8 students will be attending a live performance of Shakespeare’s Macbeth at the Avon Theatre at the Stratford Festival on Tuesday, Oct. 1.

This field trip will provide an incredible opportunity to experience one of Shakespeare’s greatest tragedies performed by world-class actors. Macbeth is a central text in our Year 8 curriculum. Seeing the play on stage will deepen students’ understanding and enrich their classroom learning.

• Date: Tuesday, Oct. 1, 9 a.m. to approximately 6:30 p.m.

• Location: Stratford Festival, Avon Theatre, Stratford, Ontario

• Transportation via Coach Bus

• Cost: $65 (permission and payment required)

• Lunch: Students are invited to bring money to enjoy one of the many wonderful restaurants in downtown Stratford.

We strongly recommend all students attend, as this experience will be academically advantageous and memorable.

Please complete the Macbeth permission form. Payment will be billed to your student account.

The Language and Literature Year 8 Team

Parents, please remind your Year 12 students that they have two opportunities to get fitted for grad rings at school. 

Tuesday, Sept. 23, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Monday, Sept. 29, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Parent representatives will be in the Upper School foyer both days to assist with sizing. Please note: this is for ring sizing only. All grad ring orders must be placed online.

Lost-and-found items are currently on display outside the Lower Dining Hall (turn right as you exit the basement doors). But only until 3 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 26.

Four tables, and one large rolling bin, are filled with items that were cleared from House lockers back in June. Students have already been asked to check for lost items. This is the final opportunity to claim belongings.

After Sept. 26, reusable UCC uniforms will be donated to TUBS, and all remaining items will be given to charity.